Cardinal Zen noted that those who received the award before him suffered persecution, but said, “Did I? I suffered nothing.”

The cardinal said the award does not belong to him but to all Christians persecuted in China. He told the Apple Daily, “I hope many in the world will pay attention to human rights and religious freedom, which unfortunately are absent in China.”

Recounting a recent meeting with Pope Francis, he noted that the pope reminded him that “the crimson colour of the cardinal’s choir dress means that one must be ready for martyrdom. I told him it was a pity for I have no opportunity of becoming a martyr. My crimson colour is for the blood of the others who are persecuted.”